Our Mission

To protect and promote the basic human rights of immigrants through a unique combination of free
direct services, impact litigation, policy reform, and public education at local, state, and national levels.

Our Vision

To bring about an American society where immigrants are not subjected to abuse or injustice; are not afraid to
seek help; have a fair opportunity to make their case in the system that governs them; and have
their contributions valued and encouraged.

About Americans for Immigrant Justice

Americans for Immigrant Justice is an award-winning non-profit law firm that protects and promotes the basic human rights of immigrants. In Florida and on a national level, it champions the rights of unaccompanied immigrant children; advocates for survivors of trafficking and domestic violence; serves as a watchdog on immigration detention practices and policies; and speaks for immigrant groups who have particular and compelling claims to justice.

Its multicultural and multilingual staff works to build alliances between immigrant and nonimmigrant groups, including government, civic, social and faith-based communities.

Advocates involved in immigration issues, the national media, and federal and state policy makers, consider AI Justice to be one of the most effective national groups ﬁghting for immigrant justice.

“Such successes have turned [AI Justice] into a powerhouse in national advocacy for persecuted migrants too
poor to hire a lawyer.”

— The Miami Herald, January 2, 2006

what we do

AI Justice has served over 100,000 immigrants from all over the world since its founding. In 2015, AI Justice served over 2,800 unaccompanied immigrant children; 400 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their children; nearly 300 people in immigration custody; and approximately 500 low-income immigrants seeking assistance with work permits, legal permanent residence, asylum, or citizenship. AI Justice is also leading a campaign through legislation, litigation, and advocacy, to ensure humane treatment of people detained by Customs and Border Protection.

AI Justice achieves outstanding results both systemically and for individual clients by employing a unique combination of free legal services, impact litigation, policy reform, and public education at local, state, and national levels. Grounded in real-world, real-people experience, AI Justice’s direct work with immigrant clients informs its broader policy work.

From FIAC to AI Justice

Based in Miami, AI Justice was founded in 1996 as the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) by its current executive director, Cheryl Little, Esq., and two Catholic nuns, Sr. Maureen Kelleher RSHM and Sr. Catherine Cassidy HM. In 2012, AI Justice opened a Washington, D.C. office in order to expand its policy influence. The name was changed from FIAC to Americans for Immigrant Justice at that time, to reflect the organization’s expanded role in the national debate. It is the rare organization that works both on the frontline of human rights in Florida as well as nationwide. Its national advocacy efforts are bolstered by its bi-partisan allies.

AI Justice is an award-winning non-profit law and advocacy firm that protects and promotes the basic human rights of immigrants. In Florida and on a national level, we champion the rights of unaccompanied immigrant children; advocate for survivors of trafficking and domestic violence; serve as a watchdog on immigration detention practices and policies; and speak for immigrant groups who have particular and compelling claims to justice.